Media transport

ABSTRACT

A media transport element comprises: a fixed roller, a first coupling connected an end of the fixed roller for receiving rotational motion therefrom, a second coupling connected to the first coupling for receiving rotational motion therefrom, and being rotatable about a pivot axis; and a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller define a media passage therebetween. The media transport element also comprises: a link coupled to the pivoting roller and mounted on a link shaft co-axial with the pivot axis. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller are both continuously driven even when media items pass through the media passage and move the pivoting roller away from the fixed roller.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to media transport.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Media transport is performed by media handling devices. Media handling devices are typically used to transport sheets of media (such as paper or polymer) between a media store and a media port. Media (such as checks and banknotes) may be deposited into the media port for transfer to the store. Alternatively, or additionally, media (such as banknotes and receipts) may be removed from the media store and dispensed through the media port.

One common type of machine that includes a media handling device is an automated teller machine (ATM). ATMs are required to transport banknotes reliably from a banknote cassette to a dispensing slot. Media handling devices in an ATM typically include a pick unit (for picking banknotes from a cassette), a transport (for transporting picked banknotes), a stacking unit (for stacking picked banknotes), and a presenter (for presenting a bunch of banknotes to a customer as a single bunch).

Various different mechanisms are used for transporting an individual banknote or a bunch of banknotes. These mechanisms include: (i) a pair of co-operating belts; (ii) a belt and corresponding skid plate; (iii) a fixed roller pair having compliant circumferential discs in contact with each other; and (iv) mechanically-sprung idling rollers. Each of these mechanisms has at least one disadvantage.

Where elastomeric elements are used (as found in mechanisms (i) to (iii) above) positive drive can be achieved using a fixed centre distance between the elastomeric elements (for belts or roller pairs) or between the elastomeric element and the skid plate. However the resulting pinch force applied to the banknote(s) varies with temperature and other environmental conditions.

Mechanically-sprung rollers (as found in mechanisms (iv) above) overcome this problem of temperature-dependent pinch force; but since only one roller is driven, splaying of the banknotes can occur. This can also happen with a belt and skid plate mechanism (as found in (ii) above).

It is desirable to provide a media handling mechanism that imparts a uniform pinch force, which is unaffected by environmental conditions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention generally provides methods, systems, and apparatus for an improved media transport.

In addition to the Summary of Invention provided above and the subject matter disclosed below in the Detailed Description, the following paragraphs of this section are intended to provide further basis for alternative claim language for possible use during prosecution of this application, if required. If this application is granted, some aspects of the invention may relate to claims added during prosecution of this application, other aspects may relate to claims deleted during prosecution, other aspects may relate to subject matter never claimed. Furthermore, the various aspects detailed hereinafter are independent of each other, except where stated otherwise. Any claim corresponding to one aspect should not be construed as incorporating any element or feature of the other aspects unless explicitly stated in that claim.

According to a first aspect there is provided a media transport element comprising:

a fixed roller comprising: (i) a shaft, (ii) a plurality of discs axially spaced along the shaft, (iii) a drive engaging end for receiving rotational motion, and (iv) a driving end for imparting rotational motion;

a first coupling connected to the driving end of the fixed roller for receiving rotational motion therefrom,

a second coupling connected to the first coupling for receiving rotational motion therefrom, and being rotatable about a pivot axis;

a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller and comprising: (i) a shaft, (ii) a plurality of discs axially spaced along the shaft to co-operate with the axially spaced discs on the fixed roller to define a media passage therebetween, and (iii) a drive engaging end for continuously engaging with the second coupling as the pivoting roller pivots, so that the pivoting roller receives rotational motion from the second coupling;

a link coupled to the pivoting roller and mounted on a link shaft co-axial with the pivot axis;

wherein the fixed roller and the pivoting roller are both continuously driven even when media items pass through the media passage and move the pivoting roller away from the fixed roller.

The fixed roller drive engaging end may comprise a gear mounted on the fixed roller shaft and driven by an elastomeric belt, a gear train, or the like.

As used herein, a gear refers to a toothed wheel for intermeshing with another toothed wheel.

The fixed roller may comprise a drive engaging end at (which includes near) each end of the shaft to provide more balanced drive to the shaft.

The fixed roller driving end may comprise a gear mounted on the fixed roller shaft.

The fixed roller may comprise a driving end at (which includes near) each of the two opposing ends of the shaft.

The fixed roller discs may contact media items in the media passage directly. Alternatively, the fixed roller discs may be located within elastomeric belts that contact media items in the media passage.

The first coupling may comprise a gear intermeshing with the fixed roller driving end gear. Alternatively, the first coupling may comprise a roller connected to the fixed roller driving end gear by an elastomeric belt.

Where the fixed roller comprises two driving ends, the first coupling may comprise a gear at each end of the shaft for intermeshing with its respective fixed roller driving end gear.

The second coupling may comprise a gear intermeshing with the first coupling gear. Alternatively, the second coupling may comprise a roller connected to the fixed roller driving end roller by an elastomeric belt.

Where the first coupling comprises a gear at each end of the shaft, the second coupling may comprise a gear at each end of the shaft for intermeshing with its respective first coupling gear.

The second coupling may be mounted on the link shaft. Alternatively, the second coupling may be mounted on a shaft independent of the link shaft. One advantage of mounting the second coupling on a shaft independent of the link shaft is that it allows the link shaft to be pivoted independently of the second coupling.

The media transport element may further comprise a resilient member coupled between the link and a fixed member, so that the resilient member urges the link to a closed position in which the pivoting roller discs are in contact with the fixed roller discs when no media items are present in the media passage.

The resilient member may comprise a coil spring.

The fixed member may be provided by a transport housing. In particular, the transport housing may comprise a lid coupled to a base, and the fixed member may be provided on the lid. The lid may be pivotably connected to the base, and/or be completely removable therefrom.

The media transport element may comprise a pair of links, one at each end of the pivoting roller.

The links may be connected to the transport housing lid, so that the lid can be lifted to disengage the pivoting roller while leaving the fixed roller and the first and second couplings in place. This enables an operator to gain access to any media items trapped in the media passage.

By virtue of this aspect two positively driven rollers engage with one or more media items and provide a controlled, uniform pinch force to the media items. This pinch force is unaffected by environmental conditions, thereby providing reliability and consistency to media transport.

According to a second aspect there is provided a media transport device comprising a plurality of media transport elements of the first aspect of the invention.

The media transport device may include a transport housing comprising: a base and a removable lid coupled thereto.

The pivoting roller of each media transport element may be mounted in the transport housing lid.

The fixed roller, first coupling, and second coupling may be mounted in the transport housing base.

The pivoting roller discs may protrude through a lower surface of the transport housing lid.

The fixed roller discs may protrude through an upper surface of the transport housing based.

The lower surface of the transport housing lid and the upper surface of the transport housing base may provide a pair of skid plates for guiding media through the media passage.

According to a third aspect there is provided a media handling device comprising a media transport device of the second aspect of the invention.

The media handling device may further comprise: a pick unit and a presenter.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a self-service terminal incorporating the media handling device of the third aspect.

The self-service terminal may comprise an automated teller machine, a photocopier, an information kiosk, a financial services centre, a bill payment kiosk, a lottery kiosk, a postal services machine, a check-in and/or check-out terminal such as those used in the retail, hotel, car rental, gaming, healthcare, and airline industries, or the like.

According to a fifth aspect there is provided a method of transporting media, the method comprising:

rotating a fixed roller in contact with a media item;

rotating a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller and defining a media passage therebetween, using a pair of gears coupling the fixed and pivoting rollers; and

maintaining the pivoting roller in continuous engagement with the fixed roller via the pair of gears by allowing the pivoting roller to pivot about an axis co-axial with an axis of one of the pair of gears coupling the fixed and pivoting rollers, thereby enabling the media item to be driven by both the fixed roller and the pivoting roller.

The method may comprise the further step of urging the pivoting roller towards the fixed roller.

These and other aspects will be apparent from the following specific description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a media transport element according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating interaction between parts (gears) of the media transport element of FIG. 1 with no media items present in a media passage;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating interaction between parts (gears) of the media transport element of FIG. 1 with a bunch of media items present in a media passage;

FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a media transport device incorporating the media transport element of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a self-service terminal incorporating the media handling device of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which is a perspective schematic view of a media transport element 10, in the form of a banknote transport element, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The banknote transport element 10 comprises: a fixed roller 12; first couplings 14 a,b (only one 14 a is shown in FIG. 1), in the form of a gear at each of the opposing ends of the banknote transport element 10; second couplings 16 a,b (only one 16 a is shown in FIG. 1), also in the form of a gear at each of the opposing ends of the banknote transport element 10; a pivoting roller 18 connected to the fixed roller 12 by the first and second gears 14, 16; and a pair of links 20 a,b coupled to the pivoting roller 18.

The fixed roller 12 comprises: a shaft 30 on which are mounted a plurality of discs 32 (five are shown in FIG. 1) axially spaced along the shaft 30. The discs 32 are fixed to the shaft 30 so that they rotate as the shaft 30 rotates. Each end of the shaft 30 includes a driving gear 34 a,b for intermeshing with its corresponding first gear 14 a,b. The fixed roller 12 also includes a drive engaging end 36 in the form of a wheel 38 driven by an elastomeric belt (not shown) for imparting rotational motion to the shaft 30. The elastomeric belt (not shown) is driven by a motor (not shown).

The second coupling 16 a,b is rotatable about a pivot axis (shown by broken line 40).

The pivoting roller 18 is mounted in registration with the fixed roller 12 to define a media passage 44, in the form of a banknote passage, therebetween. The pivoting roller 18 has a shaft 50 on which are mounted a plurality of discs 52 axially spaced along the shaft 50 and arranged to co-operate with the axially spaced discs 32 on the fixed roller 12. The discs 52 are fixed to the shaft 50 so that they rotate as the shaft 50 rotates. Each end of the shaft 50 includes a driving gear 54 a,b (only one driving gear 54 a is shown in FIG. 1) for intermeshing with its corresponding second gear 16 a,b.

The pair of links 20 a,b are coupled to shaft 50 by bearings (not shown) to allow the shaft 50 to rotate freely. The pair of links 20 are also mounted on a link shaft 53 (not shown clearly in FIG. 1) co-axial with the pivot axis 40. This is to ensure that as the pivoting roller 18 pivots about the link shaft 53, the driving gears 54 a,b remain in intermeshing engagement with their corresponding second gears 16 a,b, thereby allowing the pivoting roller 18 to be continuously driven by the fixed roller 12 even when the pivoting roller 18 is pivoting.

The pair of links 20 a,b are coupled to a fixed support (not shown) by a pair of resilient members 60 a,b in the form of a pair of coil springs. Each coil spring 60 urges its associated link 20 upwards, thereby pushing the pivoting roller 18 downwards into contact with the fixed roller 12, and closing the banknote passage 44.

Reference will now also be made to FIGS. 2 and 3, which are schematic diagrams illustrating interaction between the fixed roller driving gear 34 a, the first gear 14 a, the second gear 16 a, and the pivoting roller driving gear 54 a without and with, respectively, a bunch 62 of media items (in the form of banknotes) present in the banknote passage 44.

With no bunch 62 present, the pivoting roller 18 is urged into contact with the fixed roller 12 by the coil springs 60 acting on the links 20, so that opposing discs 52,32 close the banknote passage 44. When the motor (not shown) is driven, the fixed roller 12 is rotated anti-clockwise, causing the first gear 14 a to rotate clockwise, the second gear 16 a to rotate anti-clockwise, and the pivoting roller 18 to rotate clockwise.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the centre of the fixed roller driving gear 34 a, the centre of the first gear 14 a and the centre of the second gear 16 a all remain in fixed spatial relation to each other (illustrated by lines 70 and 72), even when the pivoting roller 18 is pivoting. In contrast, the centre of the pivoting roller driving gear 54 a moves relative to the centre of the fixed roller driving gear 34 a, the centre of the first gear 14 a, and the centre of the second gear 16 a (illustrated by line 74). However, the distance between the centre of the pivoting roller driving gear 54 a and the centre of the second gear 16 a remains constant throughout the pivoting movement. This allows driving gear 54 a to remain intermeshed with (and driven by) the second gear 16 a at all times.

When the bunch 62 of banknotes is transported towards the banknote passage 44, the opposing discs 52,32 engage with the upper and lower surfaces of the bunch 62, pulling the bunch 62 between the rollers 12,18. The entrance of the bunch 62 into the banknote passage 44 urges the pivoting roller 18 upwards, causing the pivoting roller 18 to pivot about the link shaft 53. However, the coil springs 60 counter this by urging the pivoting roller 18 downwards onto the bunch 62 of banknotes. This ensures that the discs 52 are maintained in close contact with the upper surface of the bunch 62 of banknotes, thereby providing a uniform pinch force on the bunch 62 independent of the temperature of the discs 52.

Reference will now also be made to FIG. 4, which is a perspective schematic view of a media transport device 100 (in the form of a banknote transport) incorporating banknote transport elements 10.

The banknote transport device 100 includes a transport housing 102. The transport housing 102 comprises a removable lid 104 pivotably coupled to a base 106. The transport housing 102 incorporates five banknote transport elements 10.

The pivoting rollers 18, the pair of links 20, and the coil springs 60 from these five banknote transport elements 10 are mounted on an upper surface 108 of the lid 104. The lower surface 110 of the lid 104 serves as a skid plate, and the five discs 52 protrude therethrough. The lid 104 also provides the link shafts 53 on which the links 20 pivot.

In contrast, the fixed rollers 12, the first gears 14, and the second gears 16 are mounted on the base 106, between opposing sidewalls 120 thereof (only one sidewall is shown in FIG. 4). The fixed roller 12 is mounted beneath an upper surface 122 of the base 106. The upper surface 122 serves as a skid plate, and the five discs 32 protrude therethrough.

Skid plate surfaces 110,122 and the co-operating discs 52,32 provide the banknote passage 44 through which banknotes are transported. A customer engineer is able to access the banknote passage 44 (for example, to remove a jammed banknote) by pivoting the lid 104 upwards from the base 106, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The transport housing 102 defines a vertical banknote transport 130 at one end and a banknote stacking wheel 132 at the opposite end. In use, banknotes are fed, either individually or as bunches, up the vertical banknote transport 130 and into the banknote stacking wheel 132. When the correct number of banknotes have been loaded into the banknote stacking wheel 132, the loaded banknotes are stripped out of the wheel and presented to a customer as a bunch of banknotes in response to a cash dispense request.

Reference will now also be made to FIG. 5, which is a block diagram of a self-service terminal 200 in the form of an automated teller machine (ATM) including the banknote transport device 100, which is incorporated into a cash dispenser.

The ATM 200 comprises a plurality of modules for enabling transactions to be executed and recorded by the ATM 200. These ATM modules include customer transaction modules and service personnel modules. The ATM modules comprise: an ATM controller 212, a customer display 214, a card reader/writer module 216, an encrypting keypad module 218, a receipt printer module 220, a cash dispenser module 222, a journal printer module 224 for creating a record of every transaction executed by the ATM 200, a network connection module 226 for accessing a remote authorization system (not shown) via a network 228, and an operator panel module 230 for use by a service operator (such as a customer engineer, a replenisher (of currency, of printer paper, or the like), or the like).

Although not shown in detail, the cash dispenser module 222 includes a plurality of currency cassettes 240 (only one is shown) coupled to pick units 242 (only one is shown) that feed picked banknotes up the vertical banknote transport 130 of the banknote transport device 100. The picked banknotes are then transported through the banknote passage 44 and into the banknote stacking wheel 132, where they are collated and stripped off to form a bunch. A presenter mechanism 244 then presents the collated bunch to a customer to fulfill a cash dispense transaction requested by that customer.

It will now be appreciated that this embodiment has the advantage that a media transport is provided that enables a uniform pinch force to be applied to an individual media item or a bunch of media items, independent of environmental conditions, by providing continuous drive to upper and lower rollers in contact with the media. This is achieved in one embodiment by providing an epicyclic gear that is continuously intermeshed with the gear it pivots about.

Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment within the scope of the invention, for example, in other embodiments different media items may be used, such as checks, tickets, coupons, or the like. Media may be deposited in addition to, or instead of, being dispensed.

In other embodiments, instead of first and second gears 14,16, driving gears 34,54, links 20, and resilient members 60 being provided as pairs on each end of shaft, only a single instance of the first and second gear 14 a,16 a, driving gears 34 a,54 a, link 20 a, and resilient member 60 a may be used for each transport element.

In other embodiments, both ends of the fixed roller 12 may be driven; that is, the fixed roller 12 may include two drive engaging ends. The drive engaging end(s) 36 may be driven by a different mechanism than that described in the above embodiment, for example, by gears instead of an elastomeric belt.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. The methods described herein may be performed by software in machine readable form on a tangible storage medium or as a propagating signal.

The terms “comprising”, “including”, “incorporating”, and “having” are used herein to recite an open-ended list of one or more elements or steps, not a closed list. When such terms are used, those elements or steps recited in the list are not exclusive of other elements or steps that may be added to the list.

Unless otherwise indicated by the context, the terms “a” and “an” are used herein to denote at least one of the elements, integers, steps, features, operations, or components mentioned thereafter, but do not exclude additional elements, integers, steps, features, operations, or components. 

1. A media transport element comprising: a fixed roller comprising: (i) a shaft, (ii) a plurality of discs axially spaced along the shaft, (iii) a drive engaging end for receiving rotational motion, and (iv) a driving end for imparting rotational motion; a first coupling connected to the driving end of the fixed roller for receiving rotational motion therefrom, a second coupling connected to the first coupling for receiving rotational motion therefrom, and being rotatable about a pivot axis; a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller and comprising: (i) a shaft, (ii) a plurality of discs axially spaced along the shaft to co-operate with the axially spaced discs on the fixed roller to define a media passage therebetween, and (iii) a drive engaging end for continuously engaging with the second coupling as the pivoting roller pivots, so that the pivoting roller receives rotational motion from the second coupling; a link coupled to the pivoting roller and mounted on a link shaft co-axial with the pivot axis; wherein the fixed roller and the pivoting roller are both continuously driven even when media items pass through the media passage and move the pivoting roller away from the fixed roller.
 2. A media transport element according to claim 1, wherein the fixed roller drive engaging end comprises a gear mounted on the fixed roller shaft and driven by an elastomeric belt.
 3. A media transport element according to claim 1, wherein the fixed roller comprises a drive engaging end at each end of the shaft.
 4. A media transport element according to claim 1, wherein the fixed roller discs contact media items in the media passage directly.
 5. A media transport element according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling comprises a gear intermeshing with the fixed roller driving end gear.
 6. A media transport element according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling comprises a gear intermeshing with the first coupling gear.
 7. A media transport element according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling comprises a gear near each end of the fixed roller shaft, and the second coupling comprises a gear near each end of the fixed roller shaft for intermeshing with its respective first coupling gear.
 8. A media transport element according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling is mounted on the link shaft.
 9. A media transport element according to claim 1, wherein the media transport element further comprises a resilient member coupled between the link and a fixed member, so that the resilient member urges the link to a closed position in which the pivoting roller discs are in contact with the fixed roller discs when no media items are present in the media passage.
 10. A media transport device comprising a plurality of media transport elements of claim
 1. 11. A media transport device according to claim 10, wherein the media transport device includes a transport housing comprising: a base and a removable lid coupled thereto.
 12. A media transport device according to claim 10, wherein the pivoting roller of each media transport element is mounted in the transport housing lid, and the fixed roller, the first coupling, and the second coupling are mounted in the transport housing base.
 13. A media handling device comprising a media transport device according to claim
 10. 14. A media handling device according to claim 13, wherein the media handling device further comprises: a pick unit and a presenter.
 15. A method of transporting media, the method comprising: rotating a fixed roller in contact with a media item; rotating a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller and defining a media passage therebetween, using a pair of gears coupling the fixed and pivoting rollers; and maintaining the pivoting roller in continuous engagement with the fixed roller via the pair of gears by allowing the pivoting roller to pivot about an axis co-axial with an axis of one of the pair of gears coupling the fixed and pivoting rollers, thereby enabling the media item to be driven by both the fixed roller and the pivoting roller. 